DEWAN RAKYAT NEWS IN BRIEF: FEB 19

KBS TO INTRODUCE E-SPORTS BOOTCAMP TO TRAIN TEAMS, ATHLETES

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) will introduce an e-sports bootcamp to prepare teams or athletes for competitive tournaments through training and exposure.

Minister Hannah Yeoh said the bootcamp will feature intensive training, match simulations, game analysis, and professional coaching to enhance players’ mental preparedness and strategic gameplay.

She was responding to a question from Muhammad Islahuddin Abas (PN-Mersing) at the Dewan Rakyat sitting regarding the RM20 million allocation under Budget 2025 for e-sports development and the ministry’s plans for new e-sports stadiums nationwide.

Meanwhile, Hannah said the ministry is in the final phase of finalising plans to renovate an existing facility at KL Sports City, Bukit Jalil, upgrading it into a dedicated e-sports stadium.

-- BERNAMA 

MOH AIMS TO APPOINT 3,000 GRADUATE MEDICAL OFFICERS THIS YEAR - DZULKEFLY

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) aims to appoint 3,000 graduate medical officers (PPS) this year, placing them in 49 graduate training hospitals (HLS) nationwide.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that in the first quarter of 2025, the ministry had already appointed 1,114 Grade UD9 medical officers on contract to undergo graduate training at these hospitals.

“According to MOH statistics, all 3,316 graduates who registered with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) in 2024 have been appointed as PPS and placed in HLS nationwide, with 423 assigned to Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a query from V. Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) regarding the number of trainee doctors absorbed into the country’s healthcare system in 2024, as well as projections for 2025, particularly at Klang Hospital, and the latest statistics on those awaiting placement.

-- BERNAMA

GOVT FINALISES FOREIGN WORKER RECRUITMENT COSTS FOR THREE COUNTRIES

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government has finalised the recruitment costs for foreign workers from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, said Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.

He said that further negotiations are ongoing with other source countries, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

“Cost determination is a shared responsibility between both the source and recipient countries. Therefore, stricter monitoring of all parties involved in the recruitment process is essential - not only in the recipient country but also in the source country - to ensure recruitment costs remain controlled,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying to a question from Chiew Choon Man (PH-Miri) regarding the ministry’s initiatives to simplify the recruitment process, reduce costs, and extend the employment period for skilled foreign workers, particularly in Sarawak.

-- BERNAMA